The American Hockey League Western Conference finals got a little more interesting on Thursday.

After Detroit was eliminated by Chicago on Wednesday night in the NHL playoffs, the Red Wings on Thursday reassigned forwards Gustav Nyquist and Joakim Andersson and goaltender Jordan Pearce to Grand Rapids.

It's a move similar to when Edmonton reassigned forwards Teemu Hartikainen and Anton Lander to OKC after the Oilers season ended.

Nyquist, a 23-year-old right winger, led the Griffins in scoring during the regular season with 60 points in 58 games, including 23 goals. In Detroit, he scored six points in 22 regular season games. Nyquist appeared in all 14 playoff games, scoring five points, including two goals, one a top 10 play on ESPN.

Andersson has the most experience. The 24-year-old center scored 27 points in 36 games with Grand Rapids earlier this season. Andersson scored only eight points with Detroit but played in 52 NHL games, including all 14 playoff games.

Pearce appeared in only three games with the Griffins and was 0-3. It would be shocking if Grand Rapids doesn't stay with 21-year-old Czech rookie Petr Mrazek who has played in 56 games with the Griffins, including the playoffs.